interstellar5555 | 003 ┼ SO LONG LIVE THE RECKLESS AND THE BRAVE

Who: Luci & Pride CR
What: What happens when Lucifer has a minor identity crisis? Shockingly, she's only quietly destructive.
When: Backdated to Jan 12th-14thish
Where: Pride HQ / Carnie Suite
Warnings: Carnies with feelings.

[Maybe that's why she calls herself Lucifer-- because no matter what she says or does, she'll never get the benefit of the doubt. She wears the name like everything she's ever done wrong in her life is a particularly comfortable coat, and nothing underneath would ever be seen. The devil did it... The devil always does it.]

[Squalo had a damned good point though-- anyone she was close to could become a target for Santiago whenever this favor is called up. That she didn't blame him for. Hell, she shouldn't blame him for anything she's feeling because it's messed up. She shouldn't care about getting rebuffed for trying to help, what skin was it off her nose? Who gave a shit if he held her at bay with the reminder of her deal with Santiago like it was a crucifix? The fact that he seemed not to care about her murdering two people shouldn't make her hope that people would understand she'd just been trying to defend herself.]

[No. She shouldn't feel any of those things because no one would ever reciprocate. No one ever had sympathy for the devil. This feels like a lesson she's forgotten, a reason why she can't remember any friends aside from before she joined Pride. No matter what she did, no one would think she wasn't completely evil or ready to lie to them or stab them in the back. No doubt that was why 'Lucifer'. She isn't anything like a spirit of rebellion and inspiration-- she's evil incarnate. She's ruthless and merciless. She'd kill you for a Klondike bar.]

[It would be so much easier if she didn't want to make connections with people, if she looked at the people she saw often and felt nothing. But no, she's risking her life to save Xanxus, she's teaching Jamie intimacy, she's comforting Terry after Naomi's party... What the fuck, why does it suddenly feel so wrong for her to feel positively about those memories? Why does it feel so foreign?]

[Carnie Suite]

[Luci stays in bed after she gets back from her confrontation with Squalo. She doesn't want to talk to anyone or see anyone, but given she's right where she usually is when she's upset it's not terribly hard to find her. Especially when she doesn't come out to eat and has shut off her phone.]

[Pride HQ - 14th]

[After being convinced to exit the suite if only to stretch her legs, Luci goes through the motions of procuring a cup of soup from the cafe downstairs to bring back up to the suite. No makeup, her hair product-free, she's only looked like this after Naomi's party. Something is clearly wrong with her.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Luci snorts softly, but pushes into Xanxus' hand as he runs it through her hair. When she's like this, physical comfort is the best. More than what he's promising her, but that's going a long way too. She knew he wouldn't care, somewhere inside of her. It was hard to know for sure, though. Everything is hard to know for sure.]

[She shifts until she's straddling his lap and draped over his shoulders, finishing the piece of toast.] I think Pride took them when I fell down here. And I keep thinking I can fly, but it seems ludicrous without wings.

[Luci starts licking the crumbs and sugar off her fingers.] Also, if you come down and try to take my kingdom, you'll have to fight me for it, mortal. [She grins. This is... kind of fun, if not a ridiculous kind of fantasy-banter. 'When I Rule Hell' and all that...]

[ He lets her crawl onto him. It makes things easier. It makes it far too much easier to wrap arms around her middle once he's finished stroking through her hair affectionately. His fingertips still play against her shoulder blades, right where wings might actually be. ]

It's not. If you think you can fly, then you can. Because you're Luci and you can do anything. Anything except keep my sexy leather clad ass off your fancy chair. You'll just have to sit in my lap if you want to sit there too. But too bad, so sad, hell's going to be mine. I'll make it extra terrible. They'll start calling me the Wrathful One, consort-king to the Dragon herself."

The queen wants more toast. [She demands, reaching back over her shoulder and smiling fondly next to Xanxus' neck. Xanxus may think she can do anything, and it's endearing, but Luci still can't buy that she's anything but a rock star with an out of control ego. The fire? The body heat? The red eyes and memories? Somehow they were just... just...]

[She has no idea what they are, but surely there's an explanation that doesn't require her to believe in an almost-dead mythology.]

Alright, you can take a turn in my throne. ...Only if I get to ride you in it. [She grins sharply and bounces her hand insistently for more toast.]

Far be it from me to deny my Queen. [ He'll happily give Luci as much food as she wants. It makes him happy to see her eating. Whatever it was, he's glad he can help her. After all, he doesn't mind it. He enjoys the body heat, something he now gives off as well. He's never seen the fire or the red eyes, but his are the color of blood. So he'll never judge her as anything. She's Luci. ]

In food or in rides. We'll give your host down in the abyss something to be jealous of. [ He holds the entire place for her to take from with one hand and gives the slightest awkward cuddle with the other. ]

Host? Oh no, that place is mine. My domain. [She eats more toast, cuddling up to Xanxus too with the plate in hand.]

[Now would be the time to tell Xanxus the truth-- her deal with Lesedi, why what Squalo said to her rubbed her in such a terrible direction, all of that. But she can't. Not yet. He's doing everything he can for her right now, she didn't need to make him wonder if he was to blame when everything was working nicely in this particular moment. Cuddles, toast, Lucifer did nothing wrong.]

You know, you're pretty sexy in an apron and no shirt.

[ He laughs at that. He had meant "host" as in the "heavenly host". The angels under the command of God or whatever. But it's just wonderful to see Luci get so possessive over a place like the imaginary Hell they were going to take over and rule. ]

Right right. And when it comes time, just remember, I'm not calling you Boss. Might call you babe though. But not Boss. No one's Boss but me.

[ He's glad for the cuddles, glad this is working for her. He's glad he's getting her to eat too. He knows he might be able to pry what's eating her out of her, but he won't. He respects her. She'll tell him when she's ready and not a second sooner. ]

And of course I do. I look even more sexy in an apron and nothing else. But I don't want to traumatize Yuffie. But I'm glad you like my cooking. I wonder what would happen if I stopped. You and Yuffie and Poe would be eating instant ramen before the day was out.

[ He nudges her a little. ] And you have to tell me your favorite still. I will make it for you sometime. After all, I'm going to need to know it if I'm going to be co-ruling hell with you.

'Boss' is too formal for me. Just Luci. [She seems pretty confident with that choice-- only people who she likes know her as Luci, even ruling hell she imagines that won't change.]

Don't traumatize Yuffie. Or Poe. Even if the only other option is slow death by instant ramen. [She laughs and licks her fingers. She's making short work of the toast.]

Hmm... that's a good question... [She ponders this as she starts on another piece.] How's your pastry work? Because I'm a sucker for any kind of steak pie.

Just Luci. [ He laughs a little, pleased that she's eating all the toast he had brought her. That's so much better. ]

Don't worry. I'll save naked apron days for you and you alone. It'll be a holiday or something. Part of no pants Wednesday.

Pastry... I don't know. I'm best at Italian food, but I love me the fuck out of some steak, so maybe I can figure something out. I can make it for you, as long as you don't mind it being all garlic and pesto.

I love no pants Wednesday. [She smiles and bonks her head gently against Xanxus'. It's nice, being close and comfortable and fed by someone. Even if she feels strange that she's so attached to him, it's fine. She's okay, it's okay that she cares about what happens to him.]

Sounds fucking delicious. [Luci grins, pulling on his apron strings.] Garlic and pesto forever, motherfucker.

003 ┼ SO LONG LIVE THE RECKLESS AND THE BRAVE

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